'Drive Sober' campaign starts with Willamette Country Music Fest

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BROWNSVILLE, Ore. -- A weekend of country music in Brownsville means thousands of drivers hitting the interstate. Drivers on the I-5 corridor should expect to see some congestion between Albany and Eugene from people heading to the Willamette Country Music Festival.

Along with the high number of cars on the roadway, state police officials said they are increasing their presence in the hopes of stopping people from getting behind the wheel drunk.

The festival is expected to bring around 15,000 people to Brownsville from Friday to Sunday. The Springfield, Eugene and Lebanon Police Departments, as well as the Linn County Sheriff's Office, will help statue police officers patrol the roads.

Oregon State Police officials said that Friday is the start of a national DUII and traffic safety campaign, "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over", that runs from August 16 to Labor Day, September 2.

From State Police:

Although it is illegal in all 50 states to drive under the influence, far too many people get behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol. Every year, about one third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more drunk drivers or motorcycle operators.

Everyone is urged to play an important role this weekend and every day in keeping our roads safer by immediately reporting aggressive, dangerous, and intoxicated drivers to OSP at 1-800-24DRUNK (1-800-243-7865) or call 9-1-1.